[voice/telepathy, ota]

[rebells]

About those messages we've been receiving from the government--if the danger to the coven as a whole doesn't dissuade you from taking their deal, the fact that it's almost certainly a trap should. Shehui is suspicious and fearful of magic, and they must know that we all have it by now. Why would they just let us live among them?

We've been placed in not one, but two situations beyond our control. The only advantage we have is our own numbers, so we need to stick together, take care of one another, and find a way out of this as a group.

If you haven't been following our conversations, we're working on a plan to free those of us who have been captured. Anyone with skills in fighting, reconnaissance, or infiltration who is willing to help should contact Dirk or Percival. Likewise, those of you who are in detention, please keep us updated on what's going on down there. We're working as quickly as we can.

Everyone else, stay close to others in the coven if possible. Be on your guard, and let us know if you get into trouble.

Comments

[rebells]

I'll take your word for that. [Dryly.]

Get in touch with one of them--I can show you what they look like, but it would be faster through telepathy. Let them know what you can do, and they'll incorrporate it into the plan.

[gimmecandy]

That's what the annoyed person was doing! Putting together a plan! -The youthful tone exclaimed.- And I wanted to help because...

Huh. -The voice seemed to, strangely, transition to the mature tone midsentence.- I'm actually not entirely sure why I'm so eager to help. It's not as if I have anything to gain or to lose. Even as an understanding of humanity, this seems like a dangerous practice. I guess... -And the youthful tone was there again.- I don't like seeing people be sad. Other people.

[rebells]

Jailbreak first; interrogating your own motivations can come later.

[He doesn't say it harshly, though; in fact, there's an amused tinge to his tone.]

[gimmecandy]

That's a fair point to make! -The mature tone giggled.- Not bothering to think through the implications of my actions is also part of my incomplete nature!

-The youthful tone returns.- I'm Jack-O'! It's a pleasure to meet you!

[rebells]

[There's a noise that can't quite decide whether it wants to be a laugh or a sigh, but:]

Jay. Likewise.

[This conversation is a good distraction from his concerns over the taken, at least.]

[gimmecandy]

Jay. A letter of the roman alphabet. Or perhaps it's a bird? A pseudonym? Or an incomplete title? -The youthful tone, and it seems to be mostly speaking to herself.-

Are you human, Jay? -The mature tone asks, rather suddenly, in fact.-

[rebells]

[Hahhh. Well, okay, he isn't doing anything at the moment, except waiting.]

Why not all of the above? And I am.

[He doesn't elaborate on that.]

[gimmecandy]

You're a human and a bird? That seems difficult to pull off. -Jesus christ.-

[rebells]

[Okay, that gets a smile out of him.]

It does, doesn't it?

[gimmecandy]

Do you have wings? Are you capable of birdsong? -The youthful tone seems to yammer out several questions at once...-

[rebells]

No, and define 'birdsong.'

[gimmecandy]

-There's no verbal response, but instead a bunch of attempts at 'tweeting' noises. She's actually pretty good at it.-

[rebells]

[There's a pause, and a low hooting noise. It's pretty good, too, but plausibly just a human imitating bird noises.]

[gimmecandy]

-The youthful tone giggled excitedly before performing some more chirping sounds. If one could better identify bird calls, it would seem she was specifically trying to recreate the song of the Greenfinch.-

[rebells]

[Unfortunately, he's not an expert in bird calls or anything.]

I think we should be asking if you are the bird.

[gimmecandy]

-The youthful tone hummed.- Hmm. Well, I'm actually not much of anything!

-Once more there's that strange thing, that her voice shifts from youthful to mature suddenly as she speaks.- I exist, but even birds are a more complete existence than my own. But, then again, birds fly according to instinct, and no one has told them how or why. They don't need to bother with questions of their own existence, do they?

No, I guess that... -The youthful tone pops in again.- That's an aspect of humanity!

[rebells]

[ . . . this is distracting.]

Am I to believe you're an incomplete aspect of humanity?

[gimmecandy]

Aspects of humanity fascinate me, but I am simply "half-baked". -the mature tone explains.-